The race for the NFL playoffs heated up during Week 14 action. While the Indianapolis Colts added to their wild-card cushion in the AFC, the Chicago Bears are no longer in such a cushy position in the NFC.

AFC

1. Houston Texans (11-1)

Although they caught a break with the Baltimore Ravens losing, the Texans can't afford to let up in their quest for both the AFC South title and the top playoff seed. That's because the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos both won in Week 14. There's a lot riding on Monday night's game against the New England Patriots.

Having lost to the Texans and Patriots, the Broncos probably aren’t going to gain the No. 1 seed. But if the Texans defeat the Pats on Monday and the Broncos can sweep their remaining three games, Denver would grab the No. 2 seed. The big test will come next Sunday at Baltimore.

What's left: at Baltimore, vs. Cleveland, vs. Kansas City

3. New England Patriots (9-3)

The Patriots have a chance to take home-field advantage in the AFC for the second consecutive year. The Ravens' loss on Sunday and the Patriots' earlier win over the Broncos were critical in the pursuit of the top seed. Now, New England must beat the Texans and then hope Houston loses again.

The Ravens can't put everything together of late, and it doesn't get any easier after consecutive losses to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Washington Redskins. Their remaining opponents—the Broncos, New York Giants and Cincinnati Bengals—all will give them plenty of fight as all three have much to play for.

What's left: vs. Denver, vs. New York Giants, at Cincinnati

5. Indianapolis Colts (9-4)

The Colts got a huge win over the Tennessee Titans, and it came with the bonus of the Steelers and Bengals losing. That gives them a two-game lead for the top wild-card berth, so they can now set their sights on upending the Texans in two of the final three games and giving themselves a chance to steal the AFC South.

What's left: at Houston, at Kansas City, vs. Houston

6. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6)

Ben Roethlisberger's return didn't quite boost them as they expected in a hard loss to the San Diego Chargers. The Cowboys helped them by sneaking past the Bengals. Now it's the Steelers' turn to rebound and beat those two teams to hold on to the wild card.

What's left: at Dallas, vs. Cincinnati, vs. Cleveland

Alive: Cincinnati Bengals (7-6), New York Jets (6-7).

To get in, the Bengals will probably have to win at Pittsburgh in Week 16. It's hard to believe the Jets, with all their problems, are only one game off the pace.

NFC

The Falcons lost some breathing room by losing at Carolina. They might need to go 2-1 to hold on to the top seed, and next week they host one of their playoff nemeses, the Giants.

What's left: vs. New York Giants, at Detroit, vs. Tampa Bay

2. San Francisco 49ers (9-3-1)

We'll get a good idea of the 49ers' mind-set for the playoffs the next two weeks, as they get tested by the Patriots and Seattle Seahawks on the road. They will either have a first-round bye as NFC West champions or fall all the way to the No. 5 seed.

What's left: at New England, at Seattle, vs. Arizona

3. Green Bay Packers (9-4)

Now that the Bears have lost two straight, the Packers are a full game ahead and already have a victory over them. That means if the Packers can win at Chicago in Week 15, they will take the NFC North.

What's left: at Chicago, vs. Tennessee, at Minnesota

4. New York Giants (8-5)

The Giants' roller-coaster ride continues with a pair of division leaders, the Falcons and the Ravens, on the road the next two weeks. To soar over those teams, Eli Manning needs to keep New York's offense ablaze.

What's left: at Atlanta, at Baltimore, vs. Philadelphia

5. Seattle Seahawks (8-5)

The Seahawks are perfect at home and have only one road game remaining, against a struggling Bills team at Toronto. Because they defeated the Bears, they now own the top wild card over Chicago.

What's left: vs. Buffalo in Toronto, vs. San Francisco, vs. St. Louis

6. Chicago Bears (8-5)

The Bears figure to have one easy win left—at Arizona—but they are not who we thought they were just a few weeks ago. Forget the division title—they have their hands full just trying to get in as a wild card now.

The Redskins' near future is cloudy because of quarterback Robert Griffin III's knee injury, and the Vikings aren't getting enough offense beyond running back Adrian Peterson. That makes it easier to like the Cowboys as the team here with the best chance of jumping up, either in the wild-card or NFC East race.